Launch of the 2006 Montréal Bike Fest and the 22nd annual Tour de l’Île de Montréal

>> par Vélo Québec Événements
Montréal, April 18, 2006 – Presented by the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, in collaboration with ING Insurance, the Montréal Bike Fest, which will be held from May 28 to June 4, 2006, marks the beginning of the summer festival season in Montréal.

Julie Perreault, spokesperson of the 22nd Tour de l’Île de MontréalThe Tour de l’Île de Montréal marks its 22nd anniversary this year with the help of actor Julie Perreault, who has joined the team as event spokesperson: “Julie agreed to get involved with the Tour de l’Île for all the right reasons—for fun above all! The Tour de l’Île de Montréal is a unique cycling experience for families and friends, in the very heart of Montréal. Pleasure at its purest!” said Joëlle Sévigny, Executive Director of Vélo Québec Événements.

Urban fun and folliesThe 2006 Montréal Bike Fest has a sense of fun and folly! The only festival of its kind in North America, it is a full week of diverse and delightful cycling activities that are accessible to everyone! Caught up in a madcap urban atmosphere where the bicycle is king, thousands of cyclists, volunteers and spectators have a wonderful time during the Metropolitan Challenge, Operation Bike-to-Work, Un Tour la Nuit and the Tour de l’Île de Montréal.

The Metropolitan Challenge Setting its sights on the metropolitan area, the first summer challenge gets the festivities under way on Sunday, May 28. In a relaxed atmosphere, with no race monitors or stopwatches, casual and athletic cyclists alike are invited to ride 75 to 150 km through the Greater Montréal Area, starting in Lachute. A surefire delight!

Explore Montréal in a unique and playful way with Un Tour la Nuit and the Tour de l’Île During Un Tour la Nuit and the Tour de l’Île, cyclists take over the streets of Montréal. But it only happens once a year, so don’t miss your chance!

Un Tour la Nuit is the rising star of the Montréal Bike Fest. This crazy bike ride offers 25 km of nocturnal activities, on Friday, June 2. The looped route, through Plateau Mont-Royal and Rosemont–Petite-Patrie, will lead the participating night owls to TOHU, the “circus arts city,” then back to Parc Laurier for the exciting closing festivities! An unforgettable Friday night!

And June 4 will be a Sunday like no other, during the 22nd Tour de l’Île de Montréal. Explore the western part of city and the banks of the St. Lawrence on a route that will allow you to see Montréal in a new light! From the business district to the Lachine Canal, discover unexpected places at your own pace and with complete freedom, on roads closed to motorized traffic. This year’s Tour de l’Île is a 48-km urban adventure! “Held just once a year, it’s the very best way to celebrate cycling in Montréal!” said Joëlle Sévigny.

Operation Bike-to-Work: pleasure before workThe Montréal Bike Fest is the ideal opportunity for Vélo Québec Association to join us in promoting pleasure before—and after—work. To get to work or school, or to do your shopping, cycling is the most practical, fun and invigorating means of transportation in town! Companies, organizations and building managers can register for Operation Bike-to-Work and benefit from our expert, practical advice on how to make your workplace bicycle-friendly (installation of parking facilities, workplace workshops, etc.). Various activities will be held throughout the week, including on Wednesday, May 31, in Parc Lafontaine.

Presented by the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, in collaboration with ING Insurance, the Montréal Bike Fest, which will be held from May 28 to June 4, 2006, marks the beginning of Montréal’s summer festival season. It is a week-long celebration of cycling and city life. In addition to encouraging cycling on a daily basis during Operation Bike-to-Work, the Bike Fest includes three unique bicycle outings: the Metropolitan Challenge (May 28), Un Tour la Nuit (June 2) and lastly the 22nd Tour de l’Île de Montréal (June 4), which brings the only festival of its kind in North America to a very lively end.

The Montréal Bike Fest is organized by the Tour de l’Île de Montréal, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life and the environment by staging cycling events and arranging bicycle trips through the Vélo Québec Voyages travel agency. The organization also produces events such as the Underground Walkway Celebration, held for the very first time during this year’s MONTRÉAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival. Vélo Québec Événements is part of Vélo Québec, which also includes Vélo Québec Association and Vélo Québec Éditions.